Despite earning a pay raise and a promotion, Aaron Glenn’s move away from the Detroit Lions has gone terribly wrong. The former Lions defensive coordinator, now head coach of the 0-7 New York Jets, is struggling to find answers as his team remains the only winless squad in the league. The disastrous start has clearly worn on Glenn, who looks overwhelmed and directionless on the sidelines.
Before Week 7, Glenn showed visible frustration when questioned about a potential quarterback switch. Yet on Sunday, he benched Justin Fields at halftime for Tyrod Taylor. The change provided no spark, as the Jets still failed to score a touchdown and lost 13-6 to the Panthers—their second consecutive game without reaching the end zone.
Naturally, Glenn was again asked about the team’s quarterback future following the loss. His response failed to inspire confidence. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero posted Glenn’s answer, which came across as a confusing ramble.
“That’s something that I want to continue to look at, again, it’s early on Monday,” Glenn said. “There’s a lot of thought that goes into that. For me personally, and then being able to get with the staff. And then just being able to ask other coaches who’ve been in this situation how they handled that. I’m not dodging the question, [Rich]. The thing is, I want to make sure I make the right call. I don’t want to make rash decisions either.”
Aaron Glenn Struggles to Find Footing in First Head Coaching Job
On the surface, Glenn’s reasoning may sound sensible. Consulting with peers to gain perspective makes sense. But at the same time, fans expect a head coach to have a firm direction—especially regarding the quarterback position. Yes, the Jets’ offense is floundering, but this scenario isn’t new. During Glenn’s first season in Detroit, the Lions started 0-8 and sat at 0-10-1 after Week 12.
His inability to navigate a familiar situation must be maddening for Jets fans. Quarterback changes happen midseason all the time, and Glenn shouldn’t need to seek advice from others to make such a call.
To be fair, the Jets arguably deserve a better record. They’ve been competitive in most games, losing five of seven by just one possession.
Still, moral victories count for nothing in the NFL. As the man in charge, Glenn must make the tough decisions needed to turn things around. So far, he hasn’t shown he’s capable of making the crucial calls required of a head coach.
